Heatwave could break temperature records in Ingham

Records could be broken as severe to extreme heatwave conditions hit North Queensland this week.

Records could be broken as severe to extreme heatwave conditions hit North Queensland this week.

The maximum temperature record for Ingham could come under threat with the mercury expected to rise to 42C at the end of the week.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Kimba Wong duty-forecaster said the town’s February record sat at 40.6C, which was recorded on February 9 2002.

“It certainly looks like we will possibly break the record in the next couple days,” she said.

Heatwave conditions are expected for the Townsville region until Saturday.

“(In Townsville) temperatures are coming up to 38C at the end of the week and weekend and minimums 28C, so it’s pretty hot,” Ms Wong said.

The average temperatures for Townsville are 31.2C and 24.1C.

Townsville-based Oz Cyclone Chasers explained the hot and humid conditions related to the system which delivered heavy rain in Queensland’s south and across New South Wales, rather than Tropical Cyclone Uesi.

The page explained the humidity was mainly coastal for North Queensland, but extreme heat was building through the inland parts making conditions extremely uncomfortable as well.

Ms Wong said there was little chance of decent rainfalls over the next few days.

To date, there has been just 13.4mm of rain recorded in Townsville. February is Townsville’s wettest month and on average gets 304.9mm.

The weather bureau is tipping daytime and overnight temperatures from March through to May to likely be above average across Australia.

Originally published as Heatwave could break temperature records in Ingham